Receptacle-holder.



' PATENTED FEB. 27, 1906.

H. P. TOWNSEND. RBUEPTAOLE HOLDER. APPLICATION FILED mm. 1905.

1 /v/ Z r UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY P. TOWNSEND, OF NEW' BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE AMERICAN SERIAL LOCK COMPANY, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, A

CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 27, 1906.

Application filed May 8, 1905. Serial No. 259,330.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY P. TOWNSEND, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New Britain, in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, have invented a new and Improved Receptacle-Holder, of which the following is a s ecification.

My invention re ates to the class of devices used for securing a receptacle, as a mail-box, to a post or the like and the object of my invention is to provide a device of this class that may be firmly and rigidly secured to posts of different diameter or to objects having a more or less uneven surface; and a further object of the invention is to provide a device by means of which the receptacle may be readily and easily placed and locked in position; and a further object of the invention is to provide a device that while being light in construction shall be extremely strong and durable; and a still further object of the invention is to provide a device which while allowing the parts to be readily and easily engaged, yet at the same time provides a firm and ri id support for the receptacle when the parts ave been engaged; and a further object of the invention is to provide a device of this class that may be constructed from rough castings and yet one in which the parts may be readily separated, and thus roughly constructed. Aform of device in the use of which these objects may be attained is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a view in section through a portion of a letter-box and support and in central lengthwise section through my improved holder. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the clampplate. Fig. 3 is an edge view of'the same. Fig. 4 is an edge view of the base-plate or support. Fig. 5 is a, detail view in cross-section through a post with the base-plate or support secured thereto. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the base plate or support, part being broken away. Fig. 7 is a detail view, in vertical section, showing a modified form of base-plate or support.

In the accompanying drawings, the letter (t denotes a receptacle, as a mail-box, that is usually secured in lace, as to a 0st, the side of a building, or tlie like, and denotes the surface, as a post, to which the box is to be secured.

In carrying out my invention I provide a base-plate 1, that is arranged to be secured to a post or other object to which the letter-box is to be secured, and 2 denotes an interengaging or clamp plate. This interengaging or clamp plate is arranged to be secured to a receptacle, as a letter-box, and is adapted to be clamped and secured to the base-plate. The two plates when secured together provide a chamber 3, a portion of which is contained in eachoftheplates. Thebase-plateisprovided with openings 4, by means of which it may be secured in position, and it has side walls 5, forming a portion of the chamber 3. Aflange 6 projects from one of the side walls into the portion of the chamberlocated in the clamp-plate. A stop 7 projects from the back wall of that part of the chamber 3 located in the base-plate. Holding-prongs 8 project from the upper end of the base-plate, these prongs being located at opposite sides of the upper end of the baseplate. These prongs project forward and provide inclined surfaces 9. A toe-recess 10 is located at the bottom of the base-plate, this recess being preferably formed in a forward projecting part 1 1, that extends beyond the plane of the front of the base-plate. A latch-lever 12 is mounted in the recess in the clamp-plate, this lever being mounted on a stud 13. The lever is offset, forming a fulcrum 14, on which the lever rocks. A spring 1.5 is secured to a reduced portion of the stud 13, as by riveting, and bears against one end of the lever 12 to hold the lever in a normal position with the upper end thrown outward from the plate. The upper end of the lever, when the base-plate and clamp-plate are engaged, rests against the stop 7, effectually preventing any upward movement of the clamp-plate. A toe 16 extends from the bottom of the clamp-plate and is arranged to engage the recess 10. A cam-plate 17 is located at the upper end of the clamp-plate, this cam-plate being arranged to engage the cam-surfaces 9 on the prongs 8. In this construction of the parts, as the cl amp-plate is lowered to position the engagement of the cam 17 with the cam-surfaces 9 presses the clamp-plate and the base-plate closely together, so that they are rigidly held against movement the one on the other. The toe 16 prevents any outward movement of the clamp-plate from the base-plate, and the lugs 6 on the base-plate and 18 on the clamp-plate effectually prevent any lateral movement of the parts. It will thus be seen that the parts are firmly and rigidly held in engagement without any chance of movement or looseness of the engaging parts. The upper'ends of the pron s 8 are made of a thickness, as by forming a Tip 19, or otherwise, to cause the upper end of the prongs to rest against the mail-box, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. This provides a firm support for the prongs, and the construction enables a lighter prong to be produced than would otherwise be possible. It will be noted that this construction provides for sustaining the entire weight of the mail-box at the lower end or root of the prongs 8, and the upper ends being sustained by the mail-box itself are thus prevented from bending or breaking.

An advantage of the construction resides in the engaging surfaces formed at the top by the holding-prongs 8 and cam on the plate 17 and at the bottom by the toe 16 with the socket 10. This construction necessitates but little movement of the clamp-plate to disengage it from the cam-plate, so that the mail-box need be raised only a slight distance to disengage the parts.

o ening 20 is formed through the wall of the c amp-plate and an opening 21 through the back wall of the mail-box, through which an instrument may be passed to press against the lower end of the lever 12 to release it from engagement with the stop 7. It will be noted from this construction that the inner surface of the base-plate may be left comparatively rough, or the bolts or screws for securing the base-plate in position may project without any danger of the lever 12 catching on a roughened surface or projections, as the instrument inserted through the holes 20 and 21 will readily hold the lever from engagement with such parts.

An important feature of my invention resides in the enga ing beveled surfaces on the clamp-plate and ase-plate, whereby the two parts are forced, by the weight of the receptacle, into close engagement each with the other, whereby any looseness between the parts is prevented.

In Figs. 1 to 6 of the drawings the invention is shown with the base-plate or support detachable from the post. It is obvious, however, that the invention will be present when this base-plate or support is formed integral with the post, as shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings, and, in fact, in many instances this form of construction will have superior advantages over a construction in which the base-plate or support is formed separately from the post. My invention is present in a structure whether this base-plate or support be formed integral with the post or a support thereon, and wherever the terms baseplate or support, or baseplate or support are used throughout the specification or claims, it will be understood to include the base-plate or support whether it be integral with the post or separate therefrom. In said Fig. 7 the character a denotes the base or support having the side parts 1, forming a portion of the chamber between this part and the clamp-plate. 6 denotes the lug on the support, 10 the recess to receive the toe from the clamp-plate, and 11 the projection in which said recess is located.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a receptacle-holder, a support and a clamp-plate having cooperating beveled surfaces for increasing the pressure of the parts one upon the other in a longitudinal movement of a part, a spring-catch self-actuating to permit engagement of the plate and support but looking them against disengagement, means for disengaging said catch, and means for operating the spring-catch to disengage the plate and support.

2. In a receptacle-holder, a support and a clamp-plate, interengaging rigid projections from the support and plate to permit engagement and disengagement with but slight relative movement of one of the parts upon the other, a spring-catch self-actuating to permit engagement of the support and plate but looking them against disengagement, means for disengaging said catch, and means for operating the spring-catch to disengage the plate and support.

3. In a receptacle-holder, a support and a clamp-plate having projections with interengaging beveled surfaces, for increasing the pressure of the parts in a relative longitudinal movement thereof and permitting engagement and disengagement with but a slight relative movement of one of said parts on the other, a spring-catch self-actuating to permit engagement of the support and plate but holding them against disengagement, means for disengaging said catch, and means for operating the spring-catch to disengage the plate and support.

4. In a receptacle-holder, a support and a clamp-plate having interengaging beveled surfaces at one end for increasing the pres sure of the parts in a relative longitudinal movement thereof and a toe engaging a socket at the opposite end, a spring-catch self-actuating to permit engagement of the plate and support but holding them against disengagement, means for disengaging said catch, and means for operating the springcatch to disengage the plate and support.

5. In a receptacle-holder, a clamp-plate and a support provided at one end with projections permitting engagement and disengagement of the parts with but slight relative movement of one part upon the other, said projections having cooperating beveled surfaces for increasing the pressure of the parts in a relative longitudinal movement thereof to hold them in engagement, a toe engaging a socket at the opposite ends of the plate and support, a spring-catch self-actuating to permit engagement of the plate and support but looking them against disengagement, means for disengaging said catch, and means for operating the spring-catch to disengage the plate and support.

6. In a receptacle-holder, a support and a clamp-plate having interengaging rigid projections of little length as compared with the length of the parts whereby engagement and disengagement is permitted with slight relative movement of one of the parts upon the other, a spring-catch self-actuating, to permit engagement of the plate and support but looking them against disengagement, means for disengaging said catch, and means for operating the spring catch to disengage the plate and support.

7. In a receptacle-holder, a support and a clamp-plate having interengaging projec-' tions of little length as compared with the length of the parts whereby they may be engaged and disengaged with but slight movement of one part upon the other, said projections having cooperating beveled surfaces for increasing the pressure of the parts in a relative longitudinal movement thereof to hold them in engagement, a spring-catch self-actuating to permit engagement of the plate and support but preventing disengagement thereof, means for actuating said catch, and means for operating the spring-catch to disengage the plate and support.

8. In a receptacle-holder, a support and a clampplate, one of which has short prongs extending upward from one end thereof, and the other of which has a cooperating short projection extending upward from the end thereof, means for engaging the bottom of the support and plate, a spring-catch self-actuating to permit engagement of the plate and support, but holding them against disengagement, and means for actuating the catch to permit disengagement of the plate and support.

9. In a receptacle-holder, a support and a clamp-plate, one of which has prongs on the upper end thereof, and the other of which has a cooperating engaging projection from the upper end thereof, said projection and prongs having beveled surfaces for forcing the support and plate tightly in engagement, means for holding the lower ends of the plate and support in engagement, a spring-catch selfactuating to permit engagement of the plate and support, but holding them against disengagement, and means for operating the springcatch.

10. In a receptacle-holder, a support having means for sustaining it, a clamp-plate to be secured to the receptacle, means for holding said plate and support in engagement, and a spring -catch located on the clampplate and with one end to engage a stop on the support, and means for actuating said spring-catch to permit disengagement of the parts.

11. In a receptacle-holder, a support and a clamp-plate, one of which has prongs extending from the upper end thereof and the other of which has a projection extending between said prongs and with lateral extensions to en gage therewith, means for engaging the lower ends of the plate and support, and means for preventing disengaging movement of said plate and support.

12. In a receptacle-holder, a support to be secured to an object, a receptacle, a clampplate secured to said receptacle, prongs extending from the support with their ends resting against the receptacle, a projection from the clamp-plate to engage said prongs, and means for holding said plate and support in engagement.

13. A support having means for sustaining it, a receptacle, a clamp-plate to be secured to the receptacle, prongs projecting from the upper end of the support with their ends resting against the receptacle, a projection from the clamp-plate to engage said prongs, said prongs and projections having interengaging beveled surfaces for forcing the parts tightly in engagement, means for holding the lower ends of the plate and support in engagement, and means for preventing disengaging movement of the plate and support.

14. In a receptacle-holder, a support and a base-plate, means for holding said plate and support in engagement, a swinging catchle ver mounted on the clamp-plate with its end to engage a stop on the support, a spring for holding said lever in position to self-engage said stop, and means for disengaging said lever from said stop.

15. In a receptacle-holder, a support and a clamp-plate having cooperating beveled surfaces for increasing the pressure of the parts in a relative longitudinal movement thereof to hold them in engagement, and means for locking saidplate and support in engagement.

16. In a receptacle-holder, a support and a clamp plate having interengaging projections to permit engagement and disengagement with but slight relative movement of one of the parts upon the other, said projections being beveled to increase the pressure of the parts in a relative longitudinal movement thereof to hold them in engagement, and means for locking said plate and support in engagement.

17. In a receptacle-holder, a support having means for sustaining it, a clamp-plate to be secured to the receptacle, means for holding said plate and support in engagement, a spring-catch located on the clamp-plate and with one end to engage a stop on the support,

said' clamp-plate having an opening located opposite the lever whereby the latter may be operated to be disengaged from said stop.

18. In a receptacle-holder, the receptacle, a support to be secured to an object and a clamp-plate to be secured to said receptacle, means for securing the support and plate one of which has prongs extending therefrom with their ends adapted to rest against the opposite part, and the other of which has projections to engage said prongs, and means for holding said plate and support in engagement.

19. In a receptacle-holder, a support having means for sustaining it, a clamp-plate to be secured to the receptacle, means for hold ing said plate and support in engagement, one of which bears a spring-actuated lever fulcrumed between its ends and the other of which has a stop to engage the end of the lever, and means for permitting access to the end of said lever to effect its disengagement from said stop.

20. In a receptacle-holder, a support having means for sustaining it, a clamp-plate to be secured to the receptacle, means for holding said plate and support in engagement, a spring-actuated lever fulorumed between its ends on the clamp-plate and with one end to engage a stop on the support, and means to permit access to said lever to disengage it from said stop.

HARRY P. TOWNSEND.

Witnesses:

W. R. CORBIN, FLORENCE A. SoULE. 

